Emergency Services - Emergency Medical Technology - Paramedic

ECC's emergency services training programs are designed to teach the fundamentals of several emergency services disciplines.

Emergency services programs train firefighters, emergency dispatchers, and emergency medical technicians--basic and paramedic. These programs are designed to provide students with the entry level knowledge and skills to succeed in their chosen disciplines, including fire science and safety (FSS), emergency medical technician-basic (EMT-B), emergency medical technician-paramedic (EMT-P), and emergency dispatcher (PSC). Students acquire specialized knowledge and skills from current emergency services practitioners. Emergency services training programs also benefit veteran emergency services professionals needing to update their skills and education. All training received within ECC's emergency services training programs complies with local, state, and national certifying agencies; this enables graduates to obtain job-ready certifications.

Accreditation

Advocate Sherman Hospital (CoAEMSP 600695) and AMITA St. Joseph Hospital (CoAEMSP 600685) Paramedic Programs are accredited through the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www. caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).

Entrance Requirements

• Age 18 years or older
• High school graduate/equivalent
• Current Illinois EMT-B license
• Minimum six months experience as an EMT-B
• Written agreement with an ALS agency for field experience

Additional Requirements

• Successfully pass the entrance exam administered by the Paramedic Program Hospital.
  • Details of the exam date and location will be explained in the application packet provided by the Program Hospital.

Admission Procedures

Students must meet ECC’s reading requirement to enroll in the Paramedic program. The reading requirement can be met in the following ways:

• High School GPA of 3.0 or higher (unweighted, based on at least 6 semesters excluding summer) 
• ACT Reading Score of 19 or higher 
• SAT/PSAT Reading Score of 480 or higher 
• GED score of 165 or higher 
• HiSet score of 15 or higher
• Successful completion with a C or better in college-level courses at another college/university (official transcripts required)
• Complete ECC’s  Reading Placement test with the score of 95 or higher 

Students must submit transcripts, ACT, SAT, PSAT, GED, or HiSet test scores to the office of Admissions. Visit the College Board to send your scores. You do not have to have a high school diploma to apply, regardless of age. We also accept electronic transcripts through eScripsafe. Students can drop-off, email, or fax documents to the Admissions & Recruitment office:

               Admissions & Recruitment
               Building B, Room B110
               Fax: 847-608-5458
              admissions@elgin.edu

Preference is given to candidates employed/sponsored by fire departments in the Illinois Department of Public Health Region IX.  Applicants from other departments will be considered if space is available.  Go to elgin.edu/jointagreements to learn more.

Program Requirements

Students must complete all required course sections with grades of 75% or better to be eligible to sit for the state paramedic licensing exam offered by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT).

Students will be responsible for their transportation to and from all clinical sites. Students will also be required to abide by the Paramedic Program uniform policy during class time, ride time, and clinicals.

Policies and Procedures

Students applying to the EMT-P program must provide a valid Social Security number to be screened for placement on the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Registry and will be held to the NREMT "Criminal Conviction Policy". Criminal background checks and drug tests must be completed no more than 45 days prior to the start of the semester in which students begin their Health Professions program. Students must be listed on this registry to be eligible to complete required clinical training. Students demonstrating a positive background check will be denied admission to the EMT-P program. A valid Social Security number is also required to apply for licensing/certification exams.

Before attending clinical training, students must have the following documentation on file: negative drug test results, proof of immunizations/titer results (based on current CDC -- Healthcare Personnel Vaccination Recommendations), proof of health insurance coverage, and proof of a current Health-care Provider CPR certification.

EMT-P students must update their drug test, TB test, and flu vaccine on an annual basis. Students demonstrating a positive drug test will be dismissed from the EMT-P program.

The standards, policies, and procedures of the EMT-P program are published in the EMT-P student handbook. Copies of the handbook may be obtained from participating hospitals.

Program Outcomes

• Develop the knowledge to successfully pass the state licensure exam. Benchmark: 85% of students will pass the licensure exam on the first attempt, as demonstrated by first time pass rates on the National Registry exam.
• Develop the technical ability to competently perform the skills necessary to function as an entry-level EMT-P. Benchmark: 85% will demonstrate the ability to perform necessary skills, as demonstrated by practical skills validations and preceptor evaluations.
• Make appropriate clinical/treatment decisions based on patient assessments and clinical data. Benchmark: 85% of students will make appropriate clinical / treatment decisions, as demonstrated on practical skill validations, preceptor evaluations, charge medic evaluations, and documentation records.
• Exhibit attitudes and behaviors consistent with professional expectations of an entry-level EMT-P. Benchmark: 85% of students will exhibit attitudes and behaviors appropriate for entry-level practitioners, as demonstrated by practical skill validations and preceptor evaluations.

Emergency Medical Technology - Paramedic - Basic Vocational Specialist

Emergency Medical Technology - Paramedic Courses

All EMT courses numbered 100 and above may be applied to the major field and elective requirement for the Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degrees.

This program encompasses the training of paramedics in the areas:

Preparatory which integrates comprehensive knowledge of EMS systems, safety/well being of the paramedic, and medical/legal and ethical issues, which are intended to improve the health of EMS personnel, patients, and the community.
•             EMS Systems
•             Research
•             Workforce Safety and Wellness
•             Documentation
•             EMS System Communication
•             Therapeutic Communication
•             Medical / Legal and Ethics

• Anatomy and Physiology which integrates a complex depth and comprehensive breadth of knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of all human systems. 
• Medical Terminology which integrates comprehensive anatomical and medical terminology and abbreviations into the written and oral communication with colleagues and other health care professionals. 
• Pathophysiology which integrates comprehensive knowledge of pathophysiology of major human systems. 
• Life Span Development which integrates comprehensive knowledge of life span development. 
• Public Health which applies fundamental knowledge of principles of public health and epidemiology including public health emergencies, health promotion, and illness and injury prevention. 

Pharmacology which integrates comprehensive knowledge of pharmacology to formulate a treatment plan intended to mitigate emergencies and improve the overall health of the patient. 

• Principles of Pharmacology
• Medication Administration
•  Emergency Medications 

 Airway Management, Respiration, and Artificial Ventilation which integrates complex knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology into the assessment to develop and implement a treatment plan with the goal of assuring a patent airway, adequate mechanical ventilation, and respiration for patients of all ages.
•             Airway Management
•             Respiration 
•             Artificial Ventilation

Patient Assessment which integrates scene and patient assessment findings with knowledge of epidemiology and pathophysiology to form a field impression. This includes developing a list of differential diagnoses through clinical reasoning to modify the assessment and formulate a treatment plan.  
•             Scene Size-Up
•             Primary Assessment
•             History Taking
•             Secondary Assessment 
•             Monitoring Devices
•             Reassessment 

 Medicine integrates assessment findings with principles of epidemiology and pathophysiology to formulate a field impression and implement a comprehensive treatment/disposition plan for a patient with a medical complaint. 
•             Medical Overview
•             Neurology
•             Abdominal and Gastrointestinal Disorders
•             Immunology
•             Infectious Diseases
•             Endocrine Disorders 
•             Psychiatric 
•             Cardiovascular
•             Toxicology
•             Respiratory
•             Hematology
•             Genitourinary / Renal 
•             Gynecology 
•             Non-Traumatic Musculoskeletal Disorders
•             Diseases of the Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Throat

Shock and Resuscitation which integrates comprehensive knowledge of causes and pathophysiology into the management of cardiac arrest and peri-arrest states. It will also cover the causes and pathophysiology into the management of shock, respiratory failure or arrest with an emphasis on early intervention to prevent arrest. 

Trauma which integrates assessment findings with principles of epidemiology and pathophysiology to formulate a field impression to implement a comprehensive treatment/disposition plan for an acutely injured patient. 
•             Trauma Overview
•             Bleeding 
•             Chest Trauma
•             Abdominal and Genitourinary Trauma
•             Orthopedic Trauma
•             Soft Tissue Trauma
•             Head, Facial, Neck, and Spinal Trauma 
•             Nervous System Trauma 
•             Special Considerations in Trauma
•             Environmental Emergencies
•             Multi-System Trauma

Special Patient Population which integrates assessment findings with principles of pathophysiology and knowledge of psychosocial needs to formulate a field impression and implement a comprehensive treatment/disposition plan for patients with special needs. 

•             Obstetrics
•             Neonatal Care
•             Pediatrics 
•             Geriatrics 
•             Patients with Special Challenges 

EMS Operations section is to give an overview of emergency response to ensure EMS personnel, patient, and other’s safety during EMS operations. This does not prepare the entry level student to be an experienced and competent driver. Information related to the clinical management of the patient during emergency response is found in the clinical sections of the National EMS Education Standards and Instructional Guidelines for each personnel level. The Paramedic Instructional Guidelines in this section include all the topics and material at the EMR and EMT levels.  
•             Principles of Safely Operating a Ground Ambulance
•             Incident Management 
•             Multiple Casualty Incidents
•             Air Medial 
•             Vehicle Extrication
•             Hazardous Materials Awareness 
•             Mass Casualty Incidents due to Terrorism and Disaster